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DNA Nanotubes as a Versatile Tool to Study Semiflexible Polymers
Published on: October 25, 2017
Directed organization of DNA filaments in a soft matter template
Luciano De Sio1, Patrizia D'Aquila, Elvira Brunelli
1Department of Physics, Centre of Excellence for the Study of Innovative Functional Materials, University of Calabria and CNR-IPCF UOS, Cosenza, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy. luciano.desio@fis.unical.it
Abstract:
We have developed a noninvasive, all-optical, holographic technique for permanently aligning liquid crystalline DNA filaments in a microperiodic template realized in soft-composite (polymeric) materials. By combining optical intensity holography with a selective microfluidic etching process, a channelled microstructure has been realized which enables self-assembly of DNA. The striking chemicophysical properties of the structure immobilize the DNA filaments within the microchannels without the need of any kind of surface chemistry or functionalization. Polarized optical, confocal, and electronic microscopies have been used for characterizing the DNA geometry inside the microchannels in terms of birefringence, fluorescence, and nanoscale organization properties. In particular, observation of a far-field diffraction pattern confirms a periodic organization of the DNA filaments inside the polymeric template.
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